HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - PC - 1996.09.09CITY OF BURLINGAME PLANNING COMMISSION
MINUTES
September 9, 1996
CALL TO ORDER
A regular meeting of the Planning Commission, City of Burlingame was called to order by Chairman
Ellis on Monday, September 9, 1996 at 7:30 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Present:
Absent:
Staff Present:
MINUTES -
AGENDA
FROM THE FLOOR
Commissioners Deal, Galligan, Key, Wellford and Ellis
Commissioners Coffey and Mink
City Planner, Margaret Monroe; City Attorney, Jerry Coleman; Senior
Engineer, Donald Chang; Fire Marshal, Keith Marshall
The minutes of the August 26, 1996 meeting were approved as mailed.
Item #4, 1128; the applicant asked that the item be continued to the September
23, 1996 Planning Commission Meeting and Item #6, 3 & 150 California, was
placed at the end of the action items. The order of the agenda was then
approved.
There were no public comments.
ITEMS FOR STUDY
APPLICATION FOR A CONDOMINIUM PERMIT AND TENTATIVE MAP FOR A FOUR
UNIT RESIDENTIAL CONDOMINIUM AT 1408 EL CAMINO REAL, ZONED R-3, (FRANK
CONTI. PROPERTY OWNER AND JOHN BELZ APPLICANT)
A) CONDOMINIUM PERMIT
Requests: why is the 16 SF under roof eave not included in lot coverage; explain use of 13' long X
3' wide deck (very narrow) what is the useable area of these decks (dimension from face of building
to interior of rail); show similar metal roofs in area; site plan and landscape plan should be consistent;
show designated guest parking; is there sewage capacity at Hillside and El Camino Real, can this
project be accommodated; will ors Elm trees be protected; what is the sighte line for ingress
and egress off El Camino Real; why artificial what is the maintenance proposed for the astro turf; what
maintenance problems did the city incur with the astro turf on Broadway near Carolan Avenue; survey
at each floor to ensure height limits met proposed project very close to maximum height; does plan
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Burlingame Planning Commission Minutes September 9, 1996
address variations in building materials; Item set for action September 23, 1996, if all information is
available.
B) TENTATIVE MAP
Requests: letter showing Caltrans will accept drainage. If all necessary information is received, item
set for September 23 1996.
AN APPLICATION FOR A SPECIAL PERMIT FOR TAKE-OUT AT 1118 BURLINGAME
AVENUE, ZONED C-1 SUBAREA A, (LOUISA KAO, PROPERTY OWNER AND
SMOOTHIE KING. APPLICANT).
Requests: material of the serving container, paper, foam; reason no application for tables/chairs; how
do they intend to use the 500 SF of sales area, why such large preparation area when the sales area
is 500 SF; where are the bathroom facilities for employees and customers located; what sales items
are kept in the cooler; contact City of San Jose to verify their experience with the San Jose site; Item.
set for action September 23, 1996.
ITEMS FOR ACTION
The applicants were advised that only 5 of the 7 Commission members were seated this evening. The
rules of procedure for the Commission require a quorum (4) affirmative votes of the whole commission
in order to pass a motion on action items. The Chair asked if any of tonight's applicants would like
to delay their action until a full commission is seated. None of the applicants came forward.
3. APPLICATION FOR A HILLSIDE AREA CONSTRUCTION PERMIT AT 1646 ESCALANTE
DRIVE, ZONED R-1, (ANGELA MONG, PROPERTY OWNER AND ROBERT FAN,
APPLICANT).
Reference staff report, 9.9.96 with attachments. CP Monroe discussed the request, reviewed criteria,
Planning Department comments, and study meeting questions. two conditions were suggested.
Chairman Ellis opened the public hearing. Robert Fan, 580 Market Street, San Francisco, was present
representing the applicant and explained that the addition is needed to accommodate her aging mother
and a helper. They are not asking for a variance or an exception and the building meets code.
Photographs depicting the addition and views from adjacent properties were entered into the record.
Ms. Hurley, 1615 Hunt Drive spoke in opposition to the application expressing concern that the last
addition to the house was visible from her back yard, this addition does not block her view but is not
nice to look at. There were no other comments and the public hearing was closed.
C. Deal noted that this will not block the adjacent views. Those views are already blocked by existing
vegetation. He then moved to approve this application, by resolution, with the following conditions:
1) that the addition, as built, shall conform to the plans submitted to the Planning Department and date
stamped July 25, 1996; and 2) that this project shall meet all the requirements of the California
Building and Fire Codes, 1995 Edition as amended by the City of Burlingame.
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Burlingame Planning Commission Minutes September 9, 1996
The motion was seconded by C. Key and passed on a 5-0-2 (Cmsrs. Coffey and Mink absent) voice
vote. Appeal procedures were advised.
Commission thanked the applicant for putting up the poles showing the envelope of the addition for
their site inspection. They then discussed the application noting it is an appropriate structure within
the limits of the code and is not inconsistent with the neighborhood. It was related, for the record,
that this is a R-1 zone and multiple family dwellings are not allowed.
4. APPLICATION FOR A SIDE SETBACK VARIANCE AND A PARKING VARIANCE AT
1128 CABRILLO AVENUE, ZONED R-1, (JOEL AND JACKIE SKELTON, PROPERTY
OWNERS AND APPLICANTS).
CONTINUED TO SEPTEMBER 23, 1996 PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING.
5. APPLICATION FOR A SPECIAL PERMIT FOR TAKE-OUT AT 1400 BURLINGAME
AVENUE, ZONED C-1, SUBAREA A BURLINGAME AVENUE COMMERCIAL AREA,
(PETERS. UMLAND, UMLAND PROPERTIES, PROPERTY OWNER AND MICHAEL T.
O'LEARY, BURLINGAME SMOKE SHOP, APPLICANT)
Reference staff report, 9.9.96, with attachments. CP Monroe discussed the request, reviewed criteria,
Planning Department comments, and study meeting questions. Seven conditions were suggested for
consideration.
Chin. Ellis opened the public hearing. Michael O'Leary, explained his application stating that his
cigar sales moved to another site and it is his intention to increase his sales, slushies in the summer
months, coffee and hot chocolate in the winter months. However, he does not intend to develop a
coffee shop. He felt that these new products would be 10 to 15 percent of his gross sales. If not
profitable he will remove them. There were no other comments and the public hearing was closed.
Commission noted the fact that take-out is distinctly different from a food establishment and discussed
limiting the sales to a percentage of take-out. This would be difficult to enforce. The take-out service
use would run with the land, the same as a use permit, and limit on a particular type of item might
be hard to enforce on the next business endeavor.
C. Galligan noted this is not an unreasonable request, it is a minor use and does not change the theme
of the business. He then made a motion to approve the application with the following amended and
added conditions: 1) that the conditions of the City engineer's June 29, 1996 memo shall be met; 2)
that the business may be open Monday through Sunday 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. with a maximum of
three employees on site at any one time, including the proprietor; 3) that the food items sold from this
site shall be limited to those which are manufactured off the site and prepackaged except for frozen
slushies, coffee and hot chocolate prepared on -site and sold individually for consumption on or off the
premise; and which shall not exceed 15% of the gross sales from the site; 4) that the applicant shall
purchase and maintain at least daily, more often if necessary, a trash receptacle inside the door to the
store and on the sidewalk along Burlingame Avenue at a location approved by the City Engineer and
Fire Department; 5) that on the street the convenience store operator shall purchase and install the
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Burlingame Planning Commission Minutes September 9, 1996
trash receptacle selected by the Burlingame Avenue Streetscape Study, and this container shall be in
place no later than November 1, 1996; 6) that the applicant shall remove once -a -day or more
frequently, if determined to be necessary by the City, all take-out debris on the sidewalk, in the gutter,
and in planters, in front of the store along Burlingame Avenue and within 50' of the store in each
direction; and 7) that the project shall meet all the requirements of the municipal code of the 1995
edition California Building and Fire Code as amended by the City of Burlingame.
The motion was seconded by C. Key and failed 2-3-2 by roll call vote. (Cmsrs. Deal, Wellford and
Ellis dissenting and Cmsrs. Coffey and Mink absent) Appeal procedures were advised.
C. Galligan then noted this is a code enforcement issue needing resolution. He then made a motion
directing staff to advise applicant that sales of take-out items is to cease and desist within 15 days from
effective date of action.
The motion was seconded by C. Wellford and passed 5-0-2 on a roll call (Cmsrs. Coffey and Mink
absent) vote. Appeal procedures were advised.
7. APPLICATION FOR AN AMENDMENT TO THE CONDOMINIUM PERMIT AND A
HEIGHT EXCEPTION AT 1755 CALIFORNIA DRIVE, ZONED C-1 WITH AN R-4
OVERLAY, ( RICO HUO, ACT DEVELOPMENT, PROPERTY OWNER AND
APPLICANT).
Reference staff report, 9.9.96, with attachments. CP Monroe discussed the request, reviewed criteria,
Planning Department comments, and study meeting questions. Two conditions were suggested for
consideration. A letter from California Drive Partners, the adjacent property owner, in support of this
amendment was read into the record.
Chin. Ellis opened the public hearing. Rico Huo, the applicant was present. He explained the reasons
for the height increase, noting for the record that this property is zoned C-1 with an R-4 overlay and
the height limit in the R-4 is 75 feet, in addition the adjacent uses are commercial so there is no
negative impact on the adjacent properties. He then asked the Commission to consider this request
favorably. There were no other comments and the public hearing was closed.
C. Deal noted that he wished this had not needed to be reviewed again but that it should be evaluated
now as if it was a part of the original project submittal. The slope of this lot combined with the
drainage problems known to be in this area is a justification for this request so the project will not
have to rely on a sump pump. The slope at the rear also reduces the size of this building relative to
the one behind it; the appearance of the street because of the distance it is setback will make it appear
to be closer to 35'; the design of the roofs will not cause a shadow to be cast on adjacent properties.
He then made a motion to approve this amendment application, by resolution, with the following
amended conditions: 1) that the all of the conditions of the condominium permit approved February
21, 1995 shall be in effect and enforced except that: a. the height on the plans date stamped December
19, 1994, shall be amended to allow a maximum height of 36'-7"; b. condition number 2 shall be
amended to allow that the overall height for each building, as measured from the top of curb at the
front of the lot shall not exceed a peak elevation on Building of A of 45.6', Building B of 45.6',
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Burlingame Planning Commission Minutes
September 9, 1996
Building C, 45.6' and Building D, 46.6 as shown on the plans date stamped August 15, 1996; 2) that
the project shall meet all of the requirements of the California Building and Fire Codes 1995 edition
as amended by the City of Burlingame.
The motion was seconded by C. Galligan and approved 5-0-2 voice vote (Cmsrs. Coffey and Mink
absent). Appeal procedures were advised.
APPLICATION FOR A FINAL CONDOMINIUM MAP FOR THREE UNITS AT 612
PENINSULA AVENUE, ZONED R-3, (ROBERT J. RUSSELL, JR., PROPERTY OWNER
AND R. C. HUTTON & ASSOCIATES APPLICANT)
Reference staff report, 9.9.96, with attachments. Sr. Eng. Chang discussed the request, reviewed
criteria, comments, and study meeting questions.
Chin. Ellis opened the public hearing. There were no comments and the public hearing was closed.
C. Key noted the conditions relating to the map have been met. She then made a motion
recommending approval of this Final Condominium Map to City Council
The motion was seconded by C. Galligan and passed 5-0-2 voice vote (Cmsrs. Coffey and Mink
absent).
6. APPLICATION FOR A SPECIAL PERMIT AMENDMENT FOR ALTERNATIVE PARKING
LOCATIONS FOR EMPLOYEES AT 3 & 150 CALIFORNIA DRIVE, ZONED, ZONED, C-2,
SUBAREA D, (JOSEPH D. & MARY L. PUTNAM, TRS, PROPERTY OWNERS AND
JOSEPH PUTNAM, APPLICANT).
Since the applicants were not present at the beginning of the action items C. Ellis again noted for the
record that only 5 of the 7 Commission members were seated this evening. The rules of procedure
for the Commission require a quorum (4) affirmative votes of the whole commission in order to pass
a motion on action items. The Chair asked if any of tonight's applicants would like to delay their
action until a full commission is seated. The applicants stated they had been previously notified and
would like to proceed.
Reference staff report, 9.9.96, with attachments. CP Monroe discussed the request,reviewed the
conditions and study meeting questions. She described a possible condition which would allow the
Commission to impose a fine if the off -site parking area proposed here were not used by employees
at 3 California. The CA commented that they would prefer the condition, if added, require the
applicant to reimburse the city for the cost of inspections if they were found to be non -compliant.
Commissioners noted that some of the information requested regarding employee parking for other car
sales businesses in this same ownership in this area was not provided. It was noted that this code
enforcement item resulted from a complaint from a neighbor affected by on street parking by
employees at 3 California in front of his house.
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Burlingame Planning Commission Minutes September 9, 1996
Chin. Ellis opened the public hearing. Bob Lanzone, 939 Laurel Street, San Carlos, attorney for the
applicant, Meal Martin, 1640 Laurel Street, San Carlos, planning consultant for the applicant, Kent
Putnam, 1435 Cortez, store manager and Joe Putnam, owner, were present to answer questions. Mr.
Lanzone suggested that rather than have the commission impose monetary fines for non-compliance,
a more effective approach would be a code enforcement ordinance which would impose fines based
on a schedule on violators. He noted that this was a code enforcement item, and that they were trying
to find a solution when they suggested the parking at 150 California. This site has space for the 25
to 28 employee cars and gets them off the site where there is not enough room to accommodate them.
It is a block away. They asked if they could mark the employee cars with a mirror or dash tag since
driving a new car is a perk that they give the employees. Their presentation went on to note that this
requirement for 28 employee parking spaces on site was the result of a change in use on the site
(addition of office area); an area which has always been used for record storage. They will do all they
canto get employees to park in the 150 California garage including put it in the employees manual,
have the manager on site remind them, and instruct new employees to use the area. They addressed
concern about employees not using 150 California when weather was bad; manager indicated that the
use will not be an option, for employees the distance is a minor issue and they will have an easy place
to park which is secure.
Peter Young, 825 Jefferson Court, spoke in opposition. He thought that this unusual arrangement
would increase the problem in the neighborhood since the employees would have to park further away.
He felt that the proposed conditions did not address the issues of road testing, leaving the roll up doors
open late at night, sometimes on week -ends, with bright lights on and noise; and off loading vehicles
in the travel lane on Peninsula Avenue. Solutions to these problems need to be included. Signage on
the building is not adequate and customers for parts also park on Jefferson, although there is some
customer parking on site. Finally the applicant has not demonstrated an ability to comply with the city
and he is certain there will also be a problem with this permit. He feels violations should be strictly
enforced with monetary fines beginning now. In response to a commissioner's inquiry he noted that
the residents do not want a neighborhood parking permit system because of the inconvenience to them
(they only get two permits); they should not have to pay a price for these employees using their street.
In response the applicant noted that if they complain to management they do their best to respond.
Other car dealerships employees in the area also park on the street. They noted that they do not have
a lot of control over where the delivery trucks choose to off load their vehicles. There were no other
comments and the public hearing was closed.
C. Galligan noted that people who live next to a commercial area often have a problem but that the
commercial area was there when he bought his house. The delivery trick should not be off-loading
in Peninsula and the applicant's attorney should suggest how the applicant can get this to stop. Off
site parking is usually viewed as a problem when the use on a site is increased beyond the parking
available on the site, this is not the case, on site parking is provided as required. It is inappropriate
to vest the Planning Commission with the ability to levy monetary fines, this should be a part of a
code enforcement ordinance. There are strong business reasons to transfer 25 parking spaces down
the street to insure that employees are adequately handled and the business owner assures that they will
be used. Therefore, noting the facts in the staff report and the conditions stated including amending
condition 3 to be that there would be designated 3 employee parking spaces provided at 3 California
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Burlingame Planning Commission Minutes September 9, 1996
and 25 employee parking spaces provided at 150 California and that each employee vehicle will be
denoted as such, he made a motion to approve this special permit amendment, by resolution,with the
following conditions: 1) that all the conditions of the March 3, 1986 conditional use permit shall
remain in effect except for condition number two which shall be eliminated; 2) that if at any time 3
California Drive and 150 California Drive cease to be in common ownership either: (1) the owner of
the 3 California Drive shall provide written assurance that the new owner of 150 California Drive will
provide employee parking spaces as required by this permit; or (2) this permit shall be automatically
revoked, without notice and hearing, and the required employee parking as required by this permit
shall be provided on the 3 California Drive site; 3) that the car sales/repair business owner at 3
California Drive shall provide 3 parking spaces for his/her employees at 150 California Drive and that
this number of employee spaces shall be increased as the number of employees on the site at 3
California Drive is increased and none of the additional employee spaces shall be provided in a tandem
configuration; 4) that the 25 parking spaces provided for employees of 3 California located in the
parking garage at 150 California Drive shall be located together within the parking garage and clearly
posted or marked on the cement that they are designated as reserved for employees of 3 California
Drive; and 5) that an aggressive program requiring employees at 3 California Drive to park in the
designated spaces at 150 California shall be implemented by site management immediately upon
granting this conditional use permit; and that this program shall include enforcement by the employer
and a designation on each employee's vehicle at 3 California's car to denote that s/he is parking in the
designated area of the parking garage to facilitate inspections.
The motion was seconded by C. Deal and approved 4-1-2 on a roll call vote (C. Wellford dissenting
and Cmsrs. Coffey and Mink absent) vote. Appeal procedures were advised.
9. APPLICATION FOR A NEGATIVE DECLARATION, ND-480P DESILTING AND
CHANNEL, EXCAVATION, MILLS CREEK, MAINTENANCE REPAIR, ZONING
UNCLASSIFIED (CITY OF BURLINGAME PROPERTY OWNER AND APPLICANT,
A)NEGATIVE DECLARATION
Reference staff report, 9.9.96, with attachments. CP Monroe discussed the request, reviewed criteria,
Planning Department comments, and study meeting questions.
Chin. Ellis opened the public hearing. There were no other comments and the public hearing was
closed.
C. Key noted that on the basis of the Initial Study and comments made at the hearing there is no
substantial evidence that the project will have a significant effect on the environment. She then made
a motion to recommend approval to the City Council.
The recommendation was seconded by C. Galligan and approved 5-0-2 voice vote (Cmsrs. Coffey and
Mink absent).
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VIII. PLANNER REPORTS
- CP Monroe reviewed the September 3, 1996 City Council regular meeting.
IX. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 10:20 p.m.
MINOTES9.9
In
Respectfully submitted,
Karen Key, Secretary